Name and Country |
Did you know ... sold without stating that fact? |
Did you know ... sold by deceiving customers? |
What do you think or feel about these issue that almost all didgeridoos not made by Aboriginal people are sold without clearly stating this fact?
What do you think or feel about these issue that many didgeridoos not made by Aboriginal people are sold using Aboriginal cultural images or are even sold by deceiving the customer into believing they were made by Aboriginal people? |
Adam from Israel |
No |
No |
The world is full of deceit(sp..) and corruption what can I say - each person is responsible for his own conscience... nothing we can do about the masses. the responsibility is ones own... |
Aisling from United Kingdom |
No |
No |
It is just wrong that people lie about things like this. this leaves the aboriginal people without a way to make money. also these people don't even know what the paintings mean |
Alan from United Kingdom |
Yes |
No |
I would not buy anything I was not 100% sure to be aboriginal and know the profit would benefit the community. |
Alban Hall from Brazil |
Yes |
No |
Criminal and there should be a con troll like with organic foods or any other product. as for the painting it is important to know what you are painting the meaning of each colour and shape and there relation with each other so as not to offend and in respect and clearly state that the designs are inspired from an australian art and spirituality. times are changing and now there are aboriginals who don't mind that women play the didge. as you know the important thing with the selling of the didge. is to spread consciousness of the struggle for aboriginal rights financially for eg. with royalties to an official organization. Spiritually with your actions and words. the aboriginals have had there culture violently and systematically attacked and the didge is a strong element to this culture and is the shamanic tunnel that can lead to a peace that is not of the past but a peace of the time of now. the dream time continues after all. |
Anonymous |
No |
No |
Any kind of deception is less than ideal in my world. |
Andy from New Zealand |
Yes |
No |
Not sure really - there have got to be pluses and minuses for both sides of this argument |
Anonymous from USA |
No |
No |
I think if people cared enough to see what they are doing than the world would be a much better place. we just have to leave it up to the ones who do care |
Asheen Muhammad from USA |
No |
No |
It is sad that we as a people will put material acquisition ahead of creating friendship based on truth and respect one for another. We should do the research to seek truth. |
Attila Kovacs from United Kingdom |
No |
No |
It is not very nice. Good to have a site dedicated to Aboriginal culture and helping them. |
Anonymous |
Yes |
No |
I don't agree with that it's very sad |
Brad from Australia |
Yes |
No |
I would not consider buying one from someone who has put part of themselves into making it. To me it is a spiritual instrument that helps me connect to spirit and the land |
Bret from USA |
No |
No |
I would hope that if I had Purchased a didgeridoo that it would be original. It would mean more to me. |
Anonymous |
No |
No |
Deception like this is also exploitation and imitation instruments should be clearly marked as such. |
Anonymous from Australia |
Yes |
No |
Not right and should not be sold |
Carl Fortune from USA |
Yes |
No |
I think this is really wrong again it is a matter of respect to the people and their culture and their instrument. Here in the states we have a rule concerning "burbon whiskey" it was originally native to a state named Kentucky no one may manufacture whiskey and call it bourbon unless it is actually produced in Kentucky by original methods similar to champagne. We should encourage some type of authentication of items and designs that identify that these instruments are made by aboriginal people with their designs and processes. such a " real didgeridoo" and all others made elsewhere and by others are not allowed to call theirs "real Didgeridoo" |
Anonymous from Australia |
Yes |
No |
Cultural theft - it's a bad thing - but unfortunately it is not limited to Australian aboriginal culture |
Cheryl from Australia |
Yes |
No |
I wonder do those stealing the images know what a bad thing they are doing. Again it need more education of the white population especially of the importance of designs and how only some people can use certain designs |
Chris from Australia |
Yes |
No |
Typical money hungry activity |
Anonymous from USA |
Yes |
No |
Same as above... |
Claudio Villegas from Chile |
Yes |
No |
I feel bad I hope this form of sell didgeridoos stop for the aboriginal people and his culture. I respect very much this culture and I hope this people take conscience. |
Anonymous |
No |
No |
Bad |
Courtney from USA |
Yes |
No |
I feel really guilty about buying my bamboo didge 10 years ago from a catalog. I now know better and will only buy authentic didges from now on. |
Craig from Australia |
No |
No |
Ripped off |
Damian Liphardt from Poland |
Yes |
No |
This is wrong and what can I say more? Surely there is some kind of lobby or something. People must know of this facts clearly as the indians has right to some of their hand made artefacts. I may way I always dream of didj made by aboriginal people. 15 years ago I sow man who played on him in some kind of concert in tv since that day I swear myself that one day I will play on this "thing":). By now I know that I can play I be proud of this playing only when I bought original didj. This fact growing in me because I learning more of culture Aboriginal people. That I repeat. Only strong lobby can change commercial "illegal" selling in the world. |
Dan Buske from USA |
No |
No |
Surprised |
Daniel Barringer from USA |
Yes |
No |
Though I'm not against didjeridus being made by non-Aboriginals deception is something I personally cannot tolerate. If the Aboriginals are not reimbursed for the misuse of their ure for the profit of another the consumer ought to know and the Aboriginals themselves ought to be reimbursed. |
Daniel Johnson from Australia |
Yes |
No |
These are not for non-indigenous people to paint as a lot of these images have strong meaning behind them. I don't think these didge's should be sold at all. Didgeridoo's made by non-indigenous people could be painted but certainly not in the traditional way. I have seen a few didgeridoo's made by a white NSW maker that paints the didge's with landscape's animals and plants and they look fantastic (I don't remember his name) and there is certainly no mistaking these with traditionally painted didge's. |
Daniel Karlsson from USA |
No |
No |
Misrepresentation to try and increase ones profits not to mention selling an inferior product is grossly negligent. |
Anonymous |
Yes |
No |
Shocking and troubling. |
Dave from United Kingdom |
Yes |
No |
That is why these didge s don't sound anything like the genuine instrument so really that is fraud. |
Daved Dekiesby from Australia |
No |
No |
It's a ripoff. Regarding the next but one question shouldn't it read 'Only Aboriginal people should be allowed to make didgeridoos for commercial sale'? |
David from Australia |
No |
No |
Misleading advertising is wrong. Unfortunately the authorities ar very cynical about policing it |
Anonymous from USA |
No |
No |
This I don't like because if I am getting something authentic I truly want it to be and if people are not being truthful I don't like that and would turn me away from that company |
Dima Shevelev from Israel |
No |
No |
Again I feel that the Aboriginal's are being exploited by so I can say "white culture" |
Duane Allen from USA |
No |
No |
As above but these practices are slightly worse since they are done intentionally to deceive customers. |
Earl Tharp from USA |
Yes |
No |
It is called cultural theft. People who do these things are common thieves. |
Anonymous from Canada |
Yes |
No |
Lying is unacceptable.. regardless of why or to whom.. especially for the sole benefit of making money.. |
Anonymous from USA |
No |
No |
I think that those people who are deceiving customers will have bad karma! |
Eric from Canada |
No |
No |
I think the deceit is wrong. No one should create art and state that it is authentic aboriginal art if it is not. But I recently have moved to Western Canada where there is a lot of Native art and culture surrounding me. I cannot help to be influenced and my art to be influenced by the styles surrounding me. I do not sell any art but the painting I do is personal and I can see influences in the stuff I create. More respect towards the native culture. But I do not condone the deceit at all. It would be wrong to sell anything pretending I am native as no one should. but pay respect to the creator and to the people that influence your life more positively. |
Erika from USA |
Yes |
No |
Same as above--- like the tattooists stealing the maori moko's and putting them on americans faces |
Eskii from Australia |
Yes |
No |
Again I think people lose sight of ethics when it comes to making money however they can. |
Fabiana from Italy |
Yes |
No |
I'm sick and tired |
Flemming Jans from Denmark |
Yes |
No |
Well the world ort to have a didgeridoo police to enforce Aboriginal cultural inheritance. |
Flemming from Denmark |
No |
No |
That is like stealing.... dead wrong! |
Gabriel Levesque from Canada |
Yes |
No |
This is one of the worst thing. I studied in marketing and I say it's disgusting. Using picture only to sell the product and lie to the customer is not a thing to do. The didgeridoo can be sold from other artisan but they can't use the picture of another artisan because it's just a lie |
Gabriel Solis Carmona from Costa Rica |
Yes |
No |
Para mí esto es plagio. Si alguna persona quiere vender este tipo de instrumentos no tienen por q robar la imagen de estas personas para sacar provecho en este caso dinero. |
Gerry from USA |
No |
No |
Well I'm starting to figure that out aye. Like I said before it's a shame it's like that now. Taking something from the rightful keepers of something so ancient & sacred.... |
Hailey from USA |
No |
No |
Where's the culture? |
Helen Niles from USA |
No |
No |
I think not proving made by aboriginal is a shameful situation.this fast paced world is cheating these artist of there artistic heritage |
Horst Christian Pätzinger from Germany |
Yes |
No |
All things from Aboriginal people must be better protect |
Ian from United Kingdom |
Yes |
No |
It is like you coming to my house and robbing me of my name and where I come from |
Ivan Matamoros Jeronimo from Spain |
Yes |
No |
Well I'm Artist (or training to be).I can understand what culture identity means and I really think that is important to protect it.Arts crafts and communication are the best and funniest to understand and get closer to other countries and cultures.On the other hand my curiosity about Australian culture is so big.that I have to admit that even I drew Aboriginal draws and motives many times because I think they are beauty (just for me nore for sold).I think non Aboriginals artist will be never so good artist in this way of expression. I mean culture should be to every one that is interesting about any thing.But should be sold as non Aboriginal art. |
Jake Lundberg from USA |
No |
No |
I think it's very sad and even more so that people don't care much. But it's understandable given very few people who buy didges know much about them. I'm certain my first didges bought while on business to Sydney fell into this category. Today I am much more careful. I do buy didges from other artists around the world but their care and artisanship is excellent and no one claims them as authentic aboriginal didges. |
James from Australia |
Yes |
No |
Pretty bad |
James from USA |
Yes |
No |
Exploitation. |
James from United Kingdom |
Yes |
No |
Its all wrong. at a minimum it should clearly state that it is a replica and most of which are poor at that. It's taking something special away from the aboriginal people that's there's to tell. |
James Townsend from USA |
No |
No |
I believe that is also unfair |
Anonymous from Spain |
No |
No |
Unfortunately this also happens not only with Aboriginal people but with other cultures in non developed countries. |
Anonymous |
Yes |
No |
I feel that something should be done and that these people should be properly represented. |
Jeff Reasoner from USA |
Yes |
No |
Lying is wrong. taking credit for what someone else has perfected for thousands of years is worse. |
Jeffrey from Australia |
Yes |
No |
Again it is very wrong. Deceiving the buyer and depriving the true Aboriginal didgeridoo makers of a living. |
Anonymous |
Yes |
No |
Don't know |
Jesse from Australia |
No |
No |
It does not surprise me. It's the Dirty Dollar. |
Anonymous |
Yes |
No |
As long as the item is accurately described for the consumer I really don't have an issue. |
Anonymous from USA |
Yes |
No |
Not presenting the fact that a didj isn't authentic when it's made to look so is the same as calling it authentic. What that is is simply advertising to sell a product at the expense of the Aboriginal culture. The same thing is happening to cultural art all over the world. Good examples are "tribal" and "Celtic knotwork" tattoos and such. At this point traditional (and very often spiritual) art becomes kitsch and is no different from any corporate logo. It's a sad thing but the juggernaut of commercialized art is a hard one to stop. Especially in these culturally ignorant times. |
Joe from USA |
No |
No |
This seems inherently misleading |
Anonymous |
Yes |
No |
Its a dirty sales tactic but some people just want to make some quick cash. |
John Coheley from USA |
No |
No |
There are laws about such things. |
Anonymous |
Yes |
No |
Sad |
Anonymous from USA |
No |
No |
Concerned |
Johnny from USA |
No |
No |
I do not feel this is the right thing to do. I believe it should state where and by whom it is made. |
Judith from Belgium |
Yes |
No |
Say the truth |
Anonymous |
No |
No |
Again that is unfair |
Kelly Sandy from USA |
No |
No |
To use a piece of culture such as an image or anything else relating to an ethnic group is wrong. Even worse is deceiving people into believing that the images or other references are authentic and that the makers have the right to produce such products. |
Anonymous |
No |
No |
No one should deceive customers. If any cultural images are used the Aboriginal people should be paid for those images. |
Kevin Wiggins from USA |
No |
No |
It's a scam people use to make money off of the reputation of others |
Kirk from USA |
Yes |
No |
The deliberate deceiving of a customer into believing it was made by an Aboriginal is a wrong thing to do. As far as using the cultural images I have made PVC didges with these on them. What harm is there in that? |
Koen from Belgium |
Yes |
No |
Een zeer spijtige zaak dat men alleen deze cultuur wil misbruiken |
Anonymous |
Yes |
No |
Their products are simply not good enough as they are- so they (the bad guys) pretend being authentic. I don't mind- fakes and fakers were always there and always will be saying that they are the originals. lets put it this way: if I want an original Aboriginal instrument and I want my money to go to the Aboriginal people I would make sure to buy my didgeridoo directly from them! p.s: I CAN TAKE A BALALAYKA AND DEVELOP IT HOWEVER I WISH USING EVERY ART I'D LIKE WITHOUT PAYING INTEREST TO THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION- if you know what I mean.. |
Anonymous |
Yes |
No |
I think it is wrong and that the consumer should research before purchasing. |
Leelen from USA |
Yes |
No |
It makes me sad...so much artwork of all different nations is infringed upon everyday. people need to be educated about the preservation of native peoples' cultural heritage all over the world. |
Leigh Carson from Ireland |
Yes |
No |
I feel that these are the usual lies that we are told. |
Leslie from USA |
No |
No |
People shouldn't be lied to. |
Anonymous |
Yes |
No |
Falsifying the authenticity of a Didj spits in the face of an entire people. |
Anonymous from Australia |
Yes |
No |
It also sucks |
Lindi from Australia |
Yes |
No |
As stated above...also misleading to anyone wanting to learn acknowledge and contribute |
Lindy from USA |
No |
No |
Its dishonest and sad that people who have endured so much continue to be exploited in such a way. |
Lisa Hallam from Canada |
Yes |
No |
This is why I have been looking at many websites and really researching didgeridoos when I purchase a didj I want my money to go to the authentic party. |
Louis Fournier from Canada |
Yes |
No |
It's not cool! |
Lubos from Czech Republic |
No |
No |
No problem. No other instruments and cultural images are trademark protected. |
Anonymous from Argentina |
Yes |
No |
The aboriginal cultural images are finest arts piece and its necessary to revaluate that believing not for a commercial product... its better to considerate like a art or musical product. |
Anonymous |
No |
No |
That's not good. |
Luis from Portugal |
Yes |
No |
Aboriginal people are a living treasure a call to meditation on our shallow lives to ascend to a more simple and peaceful state... any support and respect should no MUST be given to these incredible human beings. to play an instrument is not just producing a sound but taking part of it's history you breath into the lungs of thousands of people before you you communicate with the world around you. so playing an instrument especially a didgeridoo must be a pure experience you should seek the past the tradition the customs...not just play the instrument but be a part of it... to be cheated out of such a special experience is crushing to me. I do not have a didgeridoo the cost is too high but I have read about aboriginal people their customs and the instrument itself...I refuse to go looking for anything that isn't a part of this incredible people... |
Anonymous |
Yes |
No |
Ok |
Maja from Czech Republic |
Yes |
No |
The didgeridoos come from Aborigines why don't to show pictures of them? It will be nice if they could decide by themselves whether the pictures can be used for advertising or not. |
Anonymous from Belgium |
Yes |
No |
That must change |
Markus from France |
No |
No |
This must be stopped by law it is not right that somebody sells a product with the name of someone else on it. Kind of Product Piracy |
Marlon Fuller from USA |
No |
No |
They should be SHOT. |
Martin from Austria |
Yes |
No |
Plain forgery and cheat. Effectively a criminal act. |
Matt from Australia |
Yes |
No |
Its just consumerism for ya. some people don't care about these sort of things and they have no guilt in ripping people off. but you can also look at it this way....at least if people believe its made by an aboriginal then that may give them the faith and determination to keep learning and playing and spreading the beauty of the instrument. the shops can't sell many expensive didj's made at a high standard so they just sell the cheap fake ones. at least they are providing interest in didgeridoo's even if it is not as tradition. I still highly disagree with that sort of deception! |
Anonymous from Australia |
Yes |
No |
It is a low act as the images are painted without retaining its original meaning. It also is a shame to let the customer believe they have a traditional didgeridoo. |
Anonymous |
Yes |
No |
I think that this is exploiting the Aboriginal people and that there should be some law against it |
Anonymous |
No |
No |
I think any sale by deception is wrong. |
Anonymous |
Yes |
No |
Misrepresentation is not fair |
Michael Spring from USA |
Yes |
No |
The States has a pretty well enforced regulation about "Genuine Native American" labeling. I t doesn't prevent imitation but it prevents willful fraud on the part of retailers |
Anonymous from Switzerland |
Yes |
No |
I feel this is higher unfair and should be changed so that the Aboriginal peoples can make money from their products. |
Anonymous from United Kingdom |
No |
No |
I believe all didgeridoos sold should state their authenticity. |
Mike from USA |
No |
No |
It's an insult to the Aboriginal people. |
Mike from Canada |
Yes |
No |
I think deceiving the consumer is a very low business tactic and is again cultural theft. However I don't feel its the responsibility of the producer to tell the consumer about the product. I bought my first didj for $15 and it had tradition Australian dot art on it and I knew nothing about the product. I have now become infatuated with didjing and traditional Australian culture. So I believe if the consumer wants to learn they will and will seek out the real deal so to speak as I have. |
Mitch Minor from USA |
No |
No |
I think it is wrong and that they should tell us. |
Anonymous from USA |
Yes |
No |
It is unjust and dishonest - the world should know the work that is put into the making and playing of these instrument s by the Aboriginal people. To disregard them by tricking the customer into believing that their efforts were behind the making of an non-genuine didgeridoo is not fair. |
Neil Nelson from South Africa |
Yes |
No |
It again is wrong as it gives people a false idea that what they are playing is an authentic aboriginal piece of brilliance not a cheap copy made by un-aboriginal people. People should be creative and come up with their own ways of advertising their product in their own way not abusing the fact that they were originally invented by aboriginal people but if they do they should at least give them credit and say that the didjes aren't authentic but are actual copies. |
Pamela from USA |
No |
No |
That is abhorrent. It should be clearly stated where the didj was made from |
Pat Terson from United Kingdom |
No |
No |
Loyalties should b paid |
Anonymous from USA |
Yes |
No |
See above. Cannot recall the guy that got Nobel Prize for providing mini-loans to poor people (I think in India) but that is a great approach. Aboriginal people should do co-op to monitor and insure quality/genuine product and then be able to sell their Didgeridoos with minimal interference from our wonderful "free" marketplace. |
Paulo Gomes from Portugal |
Yes |
No |
I feel very bad to know that are people that don't respect the original traditions and they sold copies and make people believe that they are originals. I believe in Didjshop and because of that I want to buy you one. I want to have an original didgeridoo. |
Anonymous from Spain |
No |
No |
Personally think that all people interested to play didgeridoo should help aborigine culture as they gave the opportunity to play something extraordinary!!! |
Anonymous |
No |
No |
I think that non-Aboriginal people could make and play didgeridoos but that this needs to be done in the right spirit stemming from the indigenous traditions of the Aboriginal people in some way. There needs to be respect for the tradition in some way and gratitude. There should be no sense of trying to make money from an indigenous culture that one is not part of. |
Anonymous |
No |
No |
Is a certification protocol in place? |
Philip from United Kingdom |
Yes |
No |
I think it should be illegal for anyone but an Aboriginal Australians to make and sell Didgeridoos the Aboriginal people have had enough taken from them and lost enough of their culture we have a great deal to learn from all of the indigenous peoples of this planet. I for one would never buy a didgeridoo from anyone else. |
Anonymous from Switzerland |
Yes |
No |
This is not right and contrary to section 8j of the Rio convention |
Anonymous from Canada |
No |
No |
There should be laws and trade regulations installed to stop that kind of abuse. |
Rebekah from USA |
No |
No |
False advertising is never fair...natch |
Rod from USA |
Yes |
No |
I think this is just wrong to copy such traditions |
Ron from USA |
No |
No |
As stated above. |
Rui from Portugal |
Yes |
No |
My girlfriend gave me a didgeridoo and the person who who sell it said that was 100% aboriginal and made of eucalyptus. later on we find out that it was made with teca wood and I think it's not right that people use another people culture and knowledge that should be preserved. |
Ryan Alderfer from USA |
Yes |
No |
Like I said above the white man steals everyone's idea. Here in America if a Native American product like a Dream Catcher is not made by Native Americans it has to say so. |
Anonymous |
No |
No |
This is again wrong. the non aboriginal people selling theses items should state that they are not in fact made or painted by aboriginals |
Seppe from Belgium |
No |
No |
Its not good wen you by a didge you must now that de didge is mate by Aboriginal people are not. |
Stephan from Germany |
No |
No |
I think the technical term is: fraud. |
Anonymous |
Yes |
No |
It is not fair to the customer because they should not be mislead into buying something that they are not told is from real Aboriginal people. Yes the culture name using to make it sound real I have heard a lot. |
Trond from Norway |
Yes |
No |
Same as above it's a shame. |
Anonymous |
No |
No |
I certainly think that credit should be given where credit is due and these facts should be made known without deception. |
Uwe Naeger from Australia |
Yes |
No |
Obviously those people don't respect the culture nor do they care about the damaging impact this has for the individual artist and/or within the indigenous communities. |
Virginia from USA |
No |
No |
I think that this is a perverse form of false advertising and extremely disrespectful to the aboriginal culture. |
William from USA |
No |
No |
Your web site surely has taught me a lot about what to look for. Honestly I would just rather purchase one from you guys than have to deal with the consequences... |
Anonymous from USA |
No |
No |
I do not think Aboriginal people should be exploited or that false claims should be used against them. Aboriginal people should learn how to acquire legal protection against the use of their cultural images and find the means to enforce this protection. This is required for any symbol or intellectual property of an individual or entity who seeks to protect their work. I answered yes to several questions below given that aboriginal people are able to find the legal means required to protect their intellectual property and be able to enforce it. |
